What are the core beliefs and teachings of Islam studied in Unit 1 Part A?
Islam core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of Allah and Tawhid, the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam (with the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam), angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, the Qur'an and other holy books, and akhirah (life after death, the Day of Judgement, paradise and hell).
A focused answer on Muslim beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the Six Beliefs and Five Roots, angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad, the Qur'an, and akhirah (life after death).
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the core beliefs and teachings of Islam studied in Unit 1, Part A (Islam is one of the second-religion options alongside Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism). You need to explain the nature of Allah and Tawhid, the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam (and the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam), angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad, the Qur'an and other holy books, and akhirah (life after death). The exam rewards accurate belief plus sources of wisdom (the Qur'an), so learn a short reference for each idea.
The nature of Allah and Tawhid
The Six Beliefs and the Five Roots
Angels, predestination and prophethood
Muhammad and the holy books
Akhirah: life after death
Try this
Q1. What is Tawhid? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The belief in the absolute oneness and unity of Allah, who has no partners or equal; associating partners with Allah (shirk) is the gravest sin (Surah 112).
Q2. Explain why the Qur'an is important to Muslims. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Muslims believe it is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through Jibril, the final and supreme holy book, recited in Arabic and used to guide every part of life alongside the Sunnah.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 1 (a)2 marksWhat is meant by 'Tawhid'?Show worked answer →
The short (a) question (AO1). Give an accurate definition with one developing point.
Definition. Tawhid is the belief in the absolute oneness and unity of Allah, the central belief of Islam.
Develop it. Allah is one, with no partners and no equal (shirk, associating partners with Allah, is the gravest sin), as stated in Surah 112.
Top marks. An accurate definition plus a developed point earns both marks.
WJEC Unit 1 (b)5 marksDescribe Muslim beliefs about the Qur'an.Show worked answer →
The (b) describe question (AO1). Reward developed, accurate description with sources of wisdom.
Point one. Muslims believe the Qur'an is the literal word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril over about 23 years.
Point two. It is the supreme holy book and final revelation, treated with great respect, learned by heart by huffaz and recited in Arabic in worship.
Point three. It guides every part of life, alongside the Sunnah and Hadith (the example and sayings of the Prophet).
Top band. Developed points with accurate reference to belief or scripture.
Related dot points
- Christianity core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), the Trinity, creation and the Word, the Incarnation, the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and beliefs about life after death (judgement, heaven and hell).
A focused answer on Christian beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation and atonement, and beliefs about life after death.
- Issues of Life and Death (Unit 1, Theme 1): the origins of the universe and of human life (creation and scientific views), the value and sanctity of life and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia, and beliefs about life after death, including religious and non-religious (atheist and Humanist) responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Life and Death for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the origins of the universe and humanity, the sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Issues of Good and Evil (Unit 1, Theme 2): the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority and goodness, crime and the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the death penalty (capital punishment), including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Good and Evil for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the problem of evil and suffering, sources of morality, crime and punishment, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Islam practices for Unit 2 Part A: the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the major festivals (Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha), and the meaning of jihad (the greater and lesser struggle), as expressions of Muslim belief and community.
A focused answer on Muslim practices for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2 Part A, covering the Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj), worship in the mosque, the festivals Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha, and the meaning of jihad.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)